HARLAN – Jane Smith, Denison, has been hired as the new director of finance/city clerk for the City of Harlan, it was announced this week.    Smith replaces Debra Sawyer, who was terminated October 27, 2015, and discharged from her duties.    Smith will begin duties February 1, said Cox.  She was offered and accepted the position following a nearly three-month search.  Smith comes to Harlan after most recently holding the position of finan

    JACKSONVILLE -- Ashley Nelsen of Harlan and Michael Weddell of Federal Heights, CO exchanged marriage vows on July 18, 2015 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville. Pastor Ron Rasmussen performed the double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Mark and Donna Nelsen, Harlan; and Michael J. Weddell, Glenwood Springs, CO and Shelly Weddell, Denver, CO. 

    HARLAN – The Harlan Municipal Utilities will mark its 125th anniversary this year, with plans for a celebration this summer to highlight the years of service provided by the governmental agency to the community.    HMU’s annual municipal celebration is scheduled for June 14 and will be expanded this year to help the utilities commemorate the anniversary.    This week is special in itself, as January 20, 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of

    REGIONAL – Jason Andersen has joined the USDA Service Center in Audubon as a Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist serving Shelby, Audubon and Cass Counties.    Andersen’s role is to work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and others on conservation planning and implementation.

    COUNTY – Local governments in Shelby County have debt obligations totaling $39.6 million, most of which can be attributed to the City of Harlan and Harlan Community Schools.    Much of the school’s debt, totaling $12.7 million as of June 30, 2015, directly correlates to construction projects, namely paying off its primary building project.  The city’s debt obligations total $24.4 million, and include the Harlan Municipal Utilities’ debt.  

    DES MOINES – Past and future officers of the Iowa Association of Student Councils (IASC) met here to honor past officers and induct the new officers for the 2015-2016 school year and HCHS sophomore Ellen Keast was named as the new IASC president.    Keast previously served on the HCHS Student Council for the past two years. She will serve on the State Student Council Board for the next two years.

 GLENWOOD -- For the Harlan Community girls basketball team, it’s a good time for a little break in the action. Playing their sixth game in 12 days since the end of the holiday break, the top-ranked (4-A) Cyclones looked a little lethargic at times but scored the final 11 points to beat Glenwood, 53-35, on Saturday. The upset-minded Rams pulled within seven points on Molly Dean’s three-pointer and putback early in the fourth quarter before bei

 GLENWOOD -- Harlan Community scored the first basket of the game and took a brief one-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Other than that, the third-ranked (3-A) Cyclones played catch-up for 32 minutes Saturday night and ultimately fell two points short in a 57-55 conference defeat at Glenwood. The unranked Rams, who also picked up a big Hawkeye Ten win at Atlantic Tuesday before losing a non-league game at St.

 DES MOINES -- Harlan Community baseball coach Steve Daeges will be one of five individuals inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Saturday evening (January 23) in West Des Moines. The Hall of Fame and awards banquet will be held at 6:00 p.m.